Dietetic Internship Program

VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System

Application Proceedures

The VASNHCS DI program participates in the Spring DICAS application process. Applications are accepted starting August 5th, 2026. All applications must be received and completed in DICAS by January 15th, 2027 at 11:59pm Central Standard Time (CST). All applications must be submitted through the DICAS Application Portal.The DICAS fees are $50 for the first application and $25 for each additional application. Paper applications are not accepted. For assistance, contact DICAS customer service at DICASinfo@Dicas.org.

The VASNHCS DI Program is committed to providing equal opportunity for qualified persons for employment and for any educational programs. There is no discrimination with regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, handicap or national origin. 

All Application Requirements:

• Citzenship: Applicants must be a U.S. citizen by the application deadline. Proof of citizenship (valid passport or birth certificate) must be uploaded as supporting documentation through DIACS. 
• Education: Applicants must provde a completed master's transcript prior to the start of the DI program. 
• Verification Statement: Applicants must possess an official Verification Statement of Completion or Declaration of Intent to Complete from an accredited Didatic Program in Dietetic (DPD), with original signatures issued within the last 5 years. If the DPD Verification Statement is more than five years old, applicants must submit a transcript showing six or more recent credit hours in Advanced Level Nutrition or Medical Nutrition Therapy to meet the program's Recency of Education requirement.
• Selective Service: Federal law requires most U.S. males aged 18 to 26 to register with the Selective Serivce System. Applicants can visit here for more details.
• Background Check: Satisfactory background check conducted by VASNHCS.
• Physical Examination: Satisfactory physical examination (at applicatn's expense) including vaccinations as recommended by the CDC or approipriate medical/religious exemptions.

When completing the DICAS application, applicants must provide the name and contact information (sepcifically an email address) of each reference. This will generate an email requesting completion of an online reference form. Applicants applying to multiple programs must use the same references for all applications. 

Official transcripts from all colleges and universities atended must be mailed to:

• Personal Information: Indicate Veteran status, as Veterans receive preferential scoring.
• Education History:
  • A completed DPD program is required prior to internship start.
  • Include all educational history and official transcripts.
  • Explain how additional degrees and/or certifications have prepared you to be successful as a dietetic intern and future RDN. 
• Experience and Honors:
  • List all academic work, volunteer, and leadership experiences.
  • Highlight transferable skills from both dietetics and non-dietetics roles, and describe how these experiences support your scueess as a dietetic intern.
• Personal Statement (1,000 words or fewer):
  • Why are you interested in the VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System Dietetic Internship Program? What makes you a 'fit' for our program? Be specific. Sell yourself. Please do not send us a generic personal statement.
  • Why do you want to enter the dietetics profession?
  • What are some experiences that have helped to prepare you for your career?
  • What are your short-term and long-term goals?
  • What are your strengths? What areas do you feel you need to improve in?
• Letters of Recommendation:
  • Three (3) letters of recommendation are required.
  • Recommended sources include: one supervisor (current or previous) and one professor (current or previous).

Program Application Fees
There is no application fee for the VASNHCS DI program. 

Appointment Procedure

• By March 1, the DI Director or designee will email applicants with thier decision letter.
• This letter will indidcate whether you have been accepted, waitlisted, or not selected. Waitlisted applicants will receive a final decision by March 11. 
• Applicants must accept or decline offer by March 10. Although you can send you decision as soon as you receive an offer. Applicant decisions should emailed to DI Director Michelle Pearson at Michelle.Pearson1@va.gov. 
• Once an applicant accepts an appointment, they are expected to uphold ACEND's Dietetics Applicant and Program Code of Conduct and Traffic Rules.
• The program reserves the right to not hold a spot for any applicant who does not respond by the required deadline. 
• If openings remian, DICAS will reopen after March 11 for interested applicants to submit thier applications for review. 
• For more information on ACEND's application process for students, visit: Application Process for Students (eatrightprog.org). 

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